Waleed Aly has found himself in the spotlight after his rousing speech on The Project on Monday night went viral.
The TV host’s powerful message about the growing problem of terrorism and extreme group ISIL has been viewed more than 16 million times, and has been garnering praise from people around the world.
Aly’s The Project co-host Peter Hellier pointed out the impact his words had had when he urged Australians to remember that preaching hate was only helping ISIL.
“It’s reached 16 million people around the world and it’s become quite the phenomenon,” Hellier said.
“I know you’re uncomfortable with us bringing it up because this is not the reason you did it, to go viral.
“But it is a good thing this time because it means a message is getting out and what’s cool about it is it’s the right message and the way our audience and people around the world have responded to it. I think it’s phenomenal.”
Aly seemed uncomfortable with the attention of his co-stars, but Hellier insisted on acknowledging how the speech had been received.
“I know you’re uncomfortable,” Hellier continued, “but with that kind of response, we did have to mention it.
“If anyone else had 16 million views, any kind of viral thing, we would be talking to that person, and you’re that person today.”
The Project panel spoke about just how far-reaching Aly’s message had become; it was the talk of many countries including Canada and the UK, and 15 per cent of online conversation came from the US.
Waleed Aly’s speech has undoubtedly united its viewers around the world.
“It’s nice to know when you say something that people have engaged,” he said. “The issue is far more important than who said it and how much it’s been shared.”
He went on to joke: “But the fact it’s gone viral is great because otherwise I’d have to have a kid with Kim Kardashian.
“I didn’t want to do that.”
Aly had used his “Something we should talk about” segment to explain that many Australians are giving the Islamic State exactly what they want by spreading messages of hate.
He cited a statement in an Islamic State magazine, saying “ISIL’s strategy is to split the world into two camps. It is that black and white. Again we know this because they told us.”
“ISIL don’t want you to know they would be quickly crushed if they ever faced a proper army on a battlefield.
“They want you to fear them. They want you to get angry.
“But the best thing we can all do is not turn on each other, and most importantly not turn on the Muslim community, but ‘come together’,” he urged.
